Lesotho: Opposition Wins Most Parliamentary Seats In Snap Elections

Lesotho’s opposition party has won the most Parliamentary seats in the southern African kingdom’s snap election over the weekend.

Thabane won a national election at the weekend but failed to gain an outright majority in parliament and will now form a coalition government, the party said on Tuesday.

Thabane’s All Basotho Convention (ABC) won 48 parliamentary seats, compared with 30 won by incumbent Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili’s Democratic Congress (DC), according to results released on Tuesday by the Independent Electoral Commission.

The ABC will form a coalition government with the Alliance of Democrats, the Basotho National Party and the Reformed Congress of Lesotho to reach the 61-seat majority required to form a government, the parties said in a joint statement.

Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the African Union’s declaring that elections in Lesotho were free and fair.

Ramaphosa has urged all parties to accept the final outcome of the elections as the democratic will of the people.

His spokesperson Ronnie Moepa says the deputy president will visit Lesotho after the formation of the new government.

“We look forward to working with the new government and all role-players to help set the kingdom on the path to sustainable peace, security, constitutionality and development.”

“The people have spoken in a loud voice and as the four parties we have accepted their mandate and promise to serve them,” the four parties said. “We’d like to announce to Basotho and the international community that together we have enough votes to form a coalition government.”

The election was called after a vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili and parliament was dissolved. It is the third election to be held in Lesotho in five years.

Supporters of the All Basotho Convention party have taken to the streets for huge celebrations.